Printing unit for taximeters



May 20 1924.

J. GLUCK Pnm'rms mm FOR TAXIIBTERS Filed Oct 14 1920 s Sheets-Sheet '2 m m a v gmiwykox Gluck, WITNE$$E$- May 20 1924. I

- 4. J.'GLUCK mum; mm won 'mxmumns 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 14. 1920 Jwlz'u Glu cll,

Gummy May 20,1924, 1,494.539

. J. GLUCK PRINTING UNIT FOR TAXIMETERS Filed Oct. 14 1920 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 LOCKED' d5 LOCKED J'FTEI? HALF TURN -57 zELEnsza r0 COMPLETE FULL Lac/(ea nw/us -55 mew Bur RELEJS ED wmsu GHMEAS LOCKED as m F6 /0- l'rzvEssawfi I NVENmE Julius Glue,

Patented May 20, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JULIUS GLUCK, OF NEXV YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN TAXIMETEB COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK PRINTING UNIT FOR TAXIMETERS.

Application filed October 14, 1920.

To (/Z/ whom it may concern Be it known that I, rltniiiis GLUon, citi- Zen of Hungary, residing at New York, in

the county of Yew York and State of New York. have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Printing Units for Taximeters. of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to printing devices particularly adapted to use in connection with taximeters.

A primary object oi? the invention is to provide a simple and compact printing unit having a novel and distinctive impression mechanism including a plurality of devices that operate with a snap action as distinguished from a slow moving presser bar heretofore employed. In this connection the invention contemplates the provision of a plurality of relatively independent impression elements for the individual fare types which are susceptible of being oper ated in successive order to progressively take oti" an impression from the series tare types instead or" accomplishing this operation instantaneously as in the case of a common or universal presscr bar which engages all of the. fare types at once upon reaching the limit of its travel.

Another oh iect oi the invention to pro- \h e a simple and compact unit which may be readily detachably positioned over the tare types to provide in etiect a cover or hood therefor. and which may be coupled and uncoupled with its actuating means by the act of taking out and-replacing.

A further object is to provide a printing unit. which although controlled by the flag ot the meter is not dependent upon the same For its operation, but employs a separate and independent operating key having means for cooperating with the flag to prevent movement of the latter during certain stages i the operation of the printing device, while on the other hand the flag performs a. similar locking function in connection with the printing mechanism.

.lVith the above and other objects in view which will more readily appear as, the nature of the invention. is=better understood,

Serial No. 418,901.

reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a top plan view of the printing unit without the cover.

Figure 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view thereof with the cover in place.

Figure 3 is a detail view of one of the impression hammers in striking engagement with the type on one of the type wheels.

Figure t is a detail plan view of the cam operating shaft for the impression hammers.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the printing unit, with the cover removed, and showing its relation to the printing key and flag.

Figure 6 is side elevation of the opposite end of the unit shown in Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the printing unit with the cover thereof in place.

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail view of the clutch device for enabling the tape feeding roll to be operated manually instead of automatically.

. Figure 9 is a. rear elevation of the back of a meter on which the printing unit may he installed showing the relative location of the printing key to the flag. the latter being in its first or vacant" position.

Figure 10 is an enlarged elevation of the portion of the meter shown in Figure 9, viewing the same t'roni the opposite side shown in that figure. to more clearly illustrate the printing unit actuating means and the several positions of the flag.

Figures ll. 12 i3, '1 15 and 16 are diagraunnatic views showing the relative positions of the wheel carried by the printing key shaft and the check wheel carried by the flag shaft, during the movement of the flag from one position to another, and also during the operation of the printing key.

Similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several tigures of the drawings.

The printing mechanism contemplated by the present invention is of such a character that it may be conveniently handled as a separate unit without disturbing the meter casing parts or in any way interfering with the operating mechanism thereof. To this end, it will be observed :flQil'l the drawings that this printing unit may include a suitous instrumentalities included in the or-- ganization of the printing unit.

The said side 'wall 3 is preferably provided with suitable bearings 5 and 6 for receiving the main drive shaft"? of the printing unit. This shaft is provided at one end with a transverse key 8 for engaging in the slot 9 of the hub portion 10 of the gear 11 forming a part of the printing unit actuating gear train to be ne'sentlyreferred to. The said gear 11 as well as its associated gear train is carried by the back wall 12 of the meter and the key 81. on the shaft 7 therefore, constitutes an efl ec'tive coupling between the printing unit actuating mechanism and the main drive shaft of the unit when engaged with the slot 9 referred to. As the slot 9 opens at-the end as well as the periphery of the hub 10 it will be apparent that the key 8 may be readily inserted and Withdrawn asthe printing unit is placed into or removed from itsposition on the top of the meter casing. The end of the shaft 7 opposite the key 8 is provided with a worm pinion 1'3 meshing with a similar pinion 1% carried byv one end of a novel cam shaft 15.

This cam shaft 15 constitutes one of the novel and distinctive features of the invention, and as will be apparent from Figure 1, readily provides for the actuation of an individualv impression element for each print ing wheel independently of the other. That is to say, this shaft has thereon a pluralityof spaced individual cam disks 16 having portions of their peripheries 17 cut away as at 18 with said cut away portions progressively set in such a manner that as the said shaft rotates it will'progressively release a plurality of impression hammers for taking the impressions from the fare type wheels actuated liythe meter mechanism. and then raise the hammers-again. The mutilated or cut away portions 18 of the cams are suflicient'to give ample clearance for the relatively free ends 19 of-the hammers 20 of each individual impression. element. when the main operating shaft 7 turns the cam shaft 15 through the gears 13 and 14 during the manipulation of the printing key K, the free ends 19 of the impression hammers will. drop from the edge ofthe cam recess 18 in the disk and by reason of the clearance provi'ded thereby have a free and unobstructed path of movement toward the printing types T, whereby the impression stud 23 carried by'eaclrhammer may press the paper and inked ribbon together over the type and take the desired impression.

The bar 22 which carries all of the springs 1 of the impression hammers is mounted the required impact desired. To effect this adjustment as well as prevent retrograde creeping of the bar about the relatively pivotal supports 24;, the said bar is provided with an arm 25 adapted to be engaged by a set screw 26 carried in the ear 2? of the side wall 4. As shown in Figure 2 of the drawings the said set screw 26 is exposed through the opening 28 in the casing or cover C so that the position of the arm and hence the tension of the springs 21 may be readily adjusted even when the cover is in position.

From the foregoing it will be apparent. that the printing mechanism includes in its organization a rotatable actuating element in the form of the shaft 15 carrying thereon a plurality of spaced operating elements for the individual striking hammers for each type printing wheel. Normally. the free ends 19 of the impression hammers rest upon the circular peripheral portions 17 of the cam disks, but when the flag F of the meter is in position to permit the manipulation of the printing key K the movement of the latter will actuate intervening mechanism to cause the rotation of the shaft 15 which will bring the cam slots 18 into position to clear the ends of the hammers 19 and permit them to fall under the influence of the rel atively stiff springs 21, whereby'th'e impression studs 23 of the hammers will strike the paper and inked ribbon together over the type with a sharp quick blow. reason of the progressive setting of the cam disks 16 on the shaft, the impression hammers will be progressively released from the circular peripheries of the cam disks tofall tlrrough the clearance of each disk to permit the hammers to successively drop. (See Figure 3.)

Upon the further rotationof the printing key to complete the printing operation the shaft 15 will obviously be rotated further to thereby shift the cam slots 18 and again lift the ends 19 of the hammers 20 to the position shown in Figure 2.

' I Paper or tape feeding m c/ms.

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reels A are removable and renewable and when positioned for use, the portion of the tape to be used for the printing operation preferably passes beneath the lower edge of the cover and through the guide G pivotally supported as at G in the opposite side walls 3 and at of the frame and extending throughout the width of the unit. This guide G has its discharge end located adjacent the clearance provided by the spaced printing wheel hoods or guards G and G carried by the upper side of the base plate 1. and after the paper passes through the guide and across the clearance it is threaded between the feed rolls R and R, the former being the master feed roll which is rotated by the cam shaft and the latter being simply an idler. The said idler roll is yieldingly supported in the arms R pivoted as at R and held under tension by the springs R, a set of said arms and springs being provided at each end of the said roll R as will be apparent from Figures 3 and 4. Obviously, the relatively swinging mounting of the idler roll R and the spring means for tensioning the same will cause the periphery thereof to firmly engage with the periphery of the positively driven or rotated feed roll R which is preferably surfaced with rubber or the like.

The paper or tape feeding mechanism above referred to is controlled automatically by the movement of the cam shaft 15. That is to say, the end of said shaft which is journailed in the wall 4 carries a disk having a single tooth 31 (see Figure 6) for engaging with a Geneva gear 32 loosely supported onthe shaft 33of the paper feed roll R. The hub portion 35 of the said Geneva gear 32 is provided with a clutch portion for engaging with the mating clutchportion of the spring pressed clutch element 36 keyed to the shaft 33. (See Fig. 8.) At the eX- tremity of the shaft is provided a relatively large wheel 37, and between this wheel and the clutch element 36 is a spring 38 for yieldingly maintaining the said clutch member 36 in engagement with the hub 35 of the Geneva gear. ith this arrangement it will be apparent that when the printing key K is moved through the first half of its cycle the cam shaft 15 will be rotated in the direction of the arrow in Figure 6 to release the hammers and again raise them, but during the second half of the cycle of the print ing key the hammers will ride on the peripheries of the cams as the shaft 15 con tinues to rotate to cause the single tooth 31 of the wheel 30 to engage the Geneva gear on the shaft 33 of the feed roll R and thus rotate the latter a sufficient distance to move the tape T whereby the impression made thereon by the action of the printing hammers will be moved out of the zone ofthe next print. This is then repeated in all sub sequent priutings... At the end of the taxi rabs operating period the wheel 37 is manually operated so that the portion of the paper on which the last print was made is brought through the slot S. A means is then provided for tearing off this portion of the tape and the mechanism is then ready for further operation.

lVhen the wheel 3? is manipulated manually it will be apparent that the teeth of the clutch element 36 will simply slide over the clutch teeth on the hub 36 and that the Geneva gear will not be rotated by reason of the fact that the concave portion 32" of one of its teeth is in engagement with the periphery 31 of the wheel 31.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the rotation of the cam shaft 15 automatically effects the feeding of the paper across the zone of the fare-type wheels W by reason of the Geneva gear and clutch arrangement connecting the end of the shaft 15 with the shaft 38 carrying the roll R. Or, on the other hand if it is desired to facilitate the passage of the tape through the printing unit this can be done manually through the rotation of the wheel 37.

Inked ribbon feed.

The means for feeding the inked ribbon across the clearance provided by the guards G and G and next to the printing types of the wheels V is preferably controlled directly by the main driving shaft 7 as will presently appear. 2 it will be seen that the spool 40 for carrying the inked ribbon is supported in the depending ears 41. and the inked ribbon 42 carried thereby is led across the clearance between the type guards referred to. and onto the winding spool 43 located at the rear of the unit, and. supported in the depending ears 4% of the base plate 1.

The winding spool 43 is rotated directly by the main drive shaft 7 as heretofore indicated. and to this end there is provided a shaft 45 join-nailed in a bearing stirrup 46 depending from the plate 1. the said shaft having a detachable engagement with one end of the spool 13 and also carrying a gear 47 (Figure 4) for engaging with a worm 48 on the shaft '7. hen the said shaft Trotates through the manipulation of the printing key K the worm 48 will rotate the gear 47 and thus rotate the spool 43 to bring a fresh portion of the inked ribbon across the type of the fare printing wheels. In the arrangement shown the feed of the ribbon is opposite to that of the tape which has the advantage of preventing the creeping of the tape during the feed of the ribbon.

.lcfiuate'mg mechanism for printing ion/if.

As pointed out in connection with the By reference to Figure,

llltl from the gear carried by the shaft 51 on which the key K is mounted.

The said key shaft 51 is, therefore, the operating shaft for the train of gears leading to the gear 11, and in orderto prevent the manipulation of the key K and the actuation of this gear train except at proper intervals in the operation of the meter, the

said shaft 51 carries therewith a suitable checkdevicewhich cooperates directly with the flag F. In addition to the check means that cooperates directly with the flag the shaft 51 carries a ratchet wheel 52 whose check teeth 53 are engaged by a spring pressed pawl 54 for preventing backward rotation of the shaft 51.

The check means above referred to as cooperating with the flag is preferably a disk whose purpose is to limit the turning of the shaft 51 for a greater distance forward than will be required to effect the proper operation of the printing mechanism, and, also provide means for holding the flag in printing position to prevent tampering with the totals registered by the printing wheel, while the printing key is being operated.

Then the flag F is in vacant position, the full line position in Figure 10, disk 55 is locked and consequently, the shaft 51 can not be moved to manipulate the gear train leading to the printing unit. 1

On the other hand. when the flag F and key K are in the positions above stated the elements associated with the flag F which cooperate with the disk 55 are free to permit the movement of the flag from the full line or vacant position shown in Figure 1 to the first or second tariff positions F and F respectively, as well as to the not-re cording position 'F and the printing position F T Vhenthe flag is in either of the positions, F F or F the disk 55 still remains locked, but when the flag is moved tothe printing position F the disk 55 is released to thereby permit the key K on shaft 51 to make a partial rotation, and during this partial rotation the wheel 55 prevents movement of the flag F from the position F to the full line position F until the said disk 55 has fully completed half of its cycle or rotary movement. At the end of this first half of the cycle of the disk 55 the flag F is released, however, to move to vacant position, and when the flag is in vacant position the disk 55 may then completethe remaining half of its'cycle and thus actuate the gear train including the gear 11 a second time.

Accordingly,'the first half of the cycle of the disk 55, and consequently the shaft 51,

1 actuates the gear train including the gear 20 in the manner already explained, the

travel of the disk through the remaining half ofits cycle, after the flag F has been returned to vacant position, simply actuates the gear train and connected mechanism to feed out the tape from the slot S of the cover of the printing unit as well as move the impression made on the tape during the first half of the cycleof the disk 55 out of the Zone of the fare printing types.

Having described the operation and control of the disk 55, the means which enables the functions set forth tobe carried out will now be described in detail As shown in Figure 11 the disk 55 is prevented from moving in a clock-wise direction by reason of the pawl 5 1 engaging the teeth 53 of the check disk on the shaft 51. Also, thesaid disk 55 is prevented from moving in a counterclockwise direction by reason of the tooth 56 of the shiftable lock-'- ing device D engaging in the notch 57, At a point directly opposite the notch 57 is a second notch 57 which is intended to engage with the check tooth 56 at the end of half the cycle of rotation of the disk 55"" as will presently appear" Between the notches 57 and 57 opening at the periphery clearance notches 58 and 58 For the purpose of shifting the locking device D the said disk 55 is also provided with the projecting lugs 59 and 59"-. That is to say, for the purpose of rocking the device D on. its pivot cl against the tension of the spring (Z? to cause the check tooth 56 thereof to engage with either of the notches 57 or 57 at the end of each half cycle of the disk 55, the said wheel carries the rojections 59 and 59'" referred to. It will thus be seen that the disk 55 of the printing unit actuating mechanismcarries means for tripping the locking device D to cause the said disk to be locked'in' either its normal position or its half way position.

Referring now to the manner in which the flag constitutes a check upon the disk 55 to prevent its being driven through a '57 or 57?, it willbe observed from Figure 10 that the said flag F carries upon its shaft 60, journalled in the back 12 of the meter" casing, a series of instrumentalities for controlling its operation. One of these instrumentalities is the check disk 61 which directly cooperates with the disk 55 to permit its operation when the flag is in printing position and its further operation when the flag is in vacant position, until the disk 55, through its own movement brings the look ing device D again into play to cause the check tooth 56 thereof to engage with the notch 57.

When the flag F is in the vacant position shown, in Figure 11 the disk 55 is positioned so that the clearance notch 58 there of will clear the entire periphery of the said check wheel 61 to permit the flag to move to either one of the positions F F F or F (see Figs. 11, 12, 13 and 14). And. when the flag is moved through said ositions F F and F the periphery of the wheel 61 will register with the clearance notch 58 to prevent movement of the wheel 55. At this point it may be conveniently noted that when the flag has reached the first tariff position F (Fig. 11) it has moved a sutticient distance to cause the stud 62 projecting from the face thereof to engage with the part- 63 of the locking device D to shift it on its pivot d and cause the tooth 56 to withdraw from the notch 57. Thus the disk 55 which is normally engagedby the tooth 56 at the initial point of its cycle is released by the said tooth as soon as the flag moves to first tarifif' position but is held against movement by the disk 61.' The position of the locking device D after the flag has passed the position F is such that the check tooth 56 of the said locking device will bear against the smooth periphery of the wheel 61 until the notch 64 is brought around in position to receive the tooth 56. This engagement of the tooth 56 in the notch 6 1 does not take place until the flag reaches the printing position F (Fig. 14), and by reason of this engagement the flag F can not be moved to vacant position. i. e. position F and it can not be moved} back to not recording position F due to the spring pressed pawl 65 engaging with the teeth of a ratchet. wheel 66 also carried upon the flag shaft 60 (see Fig. 10).

The flag F is therefore held locked (Fig. 14) in printing position by the means above referred to, and when locked in this position it will be seen that the check disk 55 of the printing unit actuating mechanism may be turned in a counter-clodrwise directio-n. looking at Figure 14.,u11ti1 the pin or projection 59 on 55 has engaged with the portion 59 of the locking device to rock the same on its pivot d and withdraw the tooth 56 from the notch 64 in the disk 61, andat the same time throw the tooth 56 against'the periphery of the disk Upon a continued rotation of the latter through the key K, the said tooth 56 will drop into the notch 57 and lock or stop rotation of the disk 55 (Fig. 15). As previously explained the rotation of the disk 55, for this distance operates the printing mechanism to take off the impression from the fare type Wheels.

The shifting of the locking device as above described to cause the tooth 56 to engage the notch 57 releases the check disk 61, whereby the flag of the meter may be moved from printing position F to the full line vacant position shown in Figures 10 and 16. As the flag moves from printing position F (Fig. 15) to vacant position (Fig. 16) a stud 67 projecting from the face thereof trips the locking device D by engaging with the portion 63 thereof and brings the check tooth 56 of the locking device into the notch 68 which prevents the flag F from being moved past vacant position until the print ing key K has been moved through the remaining portion of its cycle of rotation to complete the actuation of the printing unit.

To permit the movement of the disk 55 to complete the printing operation, the check disk 61 is therefore provided with a clearance not-ch 69 which clears the periphery of the disk As the projection 59 on the disk 55 passes the portion 59 of the locking device it trips the same to throw the tooth 56 out of engagement with the notch 68 and draw the tooth 56 against the periphcry of the wheel 55 so that when the printin g key completes the second half of its cycle the said tooth 56 will slip into the notch 57 and prevent further rotation of the said kev. At the end of this operation which was permitted by the moving of the flag F from printing position to vacant position the said flag is released to move to either one of the tariff positions F or F to the not recording position F or printing-position F and until the flag again reaches the printing position F it operates as a complete check against the movement-of the printing key K.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the flag F constitutes a check upon the printing mechanism until the printing position F is reached, and while the printing mechanism is being caused to function to effect the printing, the flag F is locked against movement toward the vacant position, but when the printing has been accomplished, the flag is released to move to vacant position. and the printing mechanism is again locked against being manipulated to feed the paper or tape out of the slot S of the casing C as previously referred to.

In connection with the flag F it is pointed out that the same can he moved backward and forward between the positions F and F. \V hen the flag is in either of the posilit) tionsreferred to itcontrols parts of the abled so that the passenger should not be charged for time and repairsor the like the flag F can be moved to position F or not recording position. When the trip is resumed the operator may move his flag back to position F or-F according to the condi= tions then existing without in any way com pelling the operation of the. printing unit. Allofthe operations of the meter. affectedby .:the movement of the. flag between any of the positions F to F lare totaled up by theimechanis'm in the printingtypes,and when-the trip is over. the printing-unit then comes into play to take off. the totals registered bythe fare types.

In view of the description of the. relation and operation' ofthe various units and cooperating instrumentalities it is thought that the features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent, and it will of course be understood that changes in the form, proportion and minordetails of constructign may be resorted to without depart ing from thespirit of the invention or scope of the appended claims;

I claim: i

1. .A printing unit for tanimeters including in combination with fare type wheels, a plurality of normally restrained impression units, and means common to all of said impression units for progressively releasing said units for movement toward the type wheels and returning the same to restrained position. 1

2. A printing unit for tanimeters including in combination with fare type wheels, a plurality of normally restrained impression units, and'cam means common toall of said impression units for progressively releasing said units for movement toward the type wheels and returning the same to restrained position. i i

A-printing unit for taximeters includ ing in combination with faretype whee-ls, a plurality of normally restrained impression units, and a single cam shaft having cams for each of said impression units for progressively releasing said units for movement toward the type wheels-and returning the same to restrained position.

4. A printingunit for taximeters includingin combination with faretype wheels, a.

plurality of spring+tensioned individual ime pression hammers, and a single actuating member common to allor" said hammer units and having means for progressivelyreleas-- mg, said hammers to engage with the type wheels.

5;. A printing unit for taximeters including in combintaion with faretype wheels, a

plurality of individual impression hammers,

and means for operatingsaid hammers, said means consisting of a shaft having a plural-. ity of. cams thereon, the valleys of saidcams being progressively set circumt'erentially with reference to each other to progressively release the impression hammers toward the type Wheels.

6. A printing unit for taximeters including the combination with the flag of the meter, fare-type wheels, and a plurality of individual impression units for the faretype Wheels, of cam means for progressively, causing the operation of the unpressron units, a printing key operatively connected with the said cam means, and means. for coordinating th movement of the flag and the printing key.

7. A printing unit individual impression units for the fare type wheels, of cam means for controlling theimpression units, a shaft foroperating said. cam means, a printing key-operatively connected with said shaft, means associated with the printingkey for permitting the operation of the flag through a portion of its cycle while said means remains. locked until the flag reaches said point.

8. A printing mechanism.for-taximeters including thecombination with the meter I for taximet ers includ-.- ing the combination with the flag of the. meter, fare-type wheels, and a plurality of casing and the typ wheels located therein,

of a printing unit detachably mounted in the casing'above the type wheels in the casing, and means carried by the back of the meter for operating the printing mechanismand .a shattcarried by the printing unit and adapted to have a detachable engagement with an element of the operating mechanism. 9. A printing mechanism for taxnn'eters including the combination. with the meter 10. A printingmechanism for taXimeters 7 including, in combination with the meter casing, of a printing unit moun ted in the casing above the typewheel position, means for operatingthe pr nting mechanlsm; carried by one'wall ofthecasing and including a gear having a hub portion provided witha slot, anda shaft associated with the printing unit and for means at one end for engaging in the said slot.

11. A printing unit for taXimete-rs including, in combination With the meter casing, a platform adapted to be positioned in the casing over the type wheel position, impression mechanism, cam means for actuating the impression mechanism, paper feeding means including feed rolls ope-ratively connected with the cam means, inked ribbon carrying rollers mounted at the under side of the platform, a main operating shaft mounted at one side of the unit and operatively connected with the cam means and also operatively connected with the inked ribbon carrying rollers.

12. A printing unit for taximeters including a platform adapted to be mounted above the type wheel position, arched guard plates carried by the platform and overlying the type wheel position, inked ribbon carrying rollers mounted at the under side of the platform and adapted to pull the inked ribbon over the guard plates, printing mechanism, paper feeding mechanism, and a single operating shaft for actuating the printing mechanism, and paper feeding mechanism, and inked ribbon supporting rollers.

13. A printing mechanism for taximeters including a printing unit, means for operating the unit including a printing key, a check disk movable with. the key and having clearance notches in its periphery, a flag, a check disk movable with the flag and being adapted to move backward .or for ward in one of the notches of the disk of the printing key for approximately 180 of its cycle whereby the flag may be moved to any one of three positions While maintaining the check disk of the printing key locked, and a locking device adapted to be alternately actuated by one or the other of said check disks to lock the other.

Ll. A printing mechanism for taximeters including a printing unit, a printing key, a flag, a check disk associated with the key and having notches in its periphery, a check disk associated with the flag and having its periphery working in one of said notches for the major portion of the cycle of the flag whereby the flag may be moved backward or forward to different set positions while the check disk of the flag works free in said notch, a locking device for arresting the movement of the check disk of the flag at a point where the notch in said disk permits the check disk of the key to rotate, and means carried by the check disk of the key for actuating the locking device to release the check disk of the flag to permit the latter to move to the end of its cycle.

15. A printing mechanism for taximeters including a printing unit, a printing key, a flag, a check disk associated with the flag, a check disk associated with the key and adapted to interlock with the flag disk whereby the flag may be moved backward or forward within a portion of its cycle while maintaining the key disk locked, a locking device adapted to engage with the flag disk to hold it stationary while the key disk turns to actuate the printing unit, means for causing the locking device to lock the key disk until the flag disk moves back to starting position, and means controlled by the flag disk for releasing the key disk to peru'iit it to complete its cycle.

16. A printing unit for taxiineters including in combination with fare type wheels, a plurality of impression hammers each having a resilient shank portion, a common carrying bar for the spring shanks of all the hammers, means for moving the ha to uniformly adjust all of the hammers radially and means for engaging with the ends of the hammers opposite the bar for controlling the movement thereof to and from the fare type wheels.

17. A printing unit for taximeters including in combination with fare type wheels, a plurality of resiliently mounted hammer elements arranged at one side of the type wheels, and a single operating unit having means for progressively releasing said resilient hammer units into operative engagement with the type wheels and returning the same to normal position.

18. A printing unit for taximeters including in combination with the meter casing and type wheels arranged in a fixed location therein, an actuating member carried by the casing for actuating the printing unit, and said unit including a hood detachably engaging with the meter casing, impression mechanism carried by the hood, means al o carried by the hood for operating the impression mechanism, and a member of said means adapted to detachably and operatively engage with said actuating member carried by the meter casing.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JULIUS GLUCK. Witnesses A. DUoAssn, B. C. PALMER. 

